Container support for container cleaning machine



Nov. 5, 19757 J. c. BLAKE ETAL 2,811,975

CONTAINER SUPPORT FOR CONTAINER CLEANING MACHINE Filed May 1, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS JaJzzes C.BZQ K9 JOkJL R .HQSKZB ATTORNEY Nov. 5, 1957 J. c. BLAKE ET AL 2,811,976

CONTAINER SUPPORT FOR CONTAINER CLEANING MACHINE Filed May 1, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet? O Q g E Q? q O 1% v) Q I E v i k R a v1 1 2 a Lg Q I Q INVENTORS amasc.Bla,Ks

Ezzzzm' tl F JoIuzR.Ha,sKe

ATTORNEY Nov. 5, 1957 .1. c. BLAKE ET AL 2,811,976

CONTAINER SUPPORT FOR CONTAINER CLEANING MACHINE Filed May 1, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS lrzzzceit Jolzzz, R. Ha

ATTORNEY Nov. 5, 1957 J. c. BLAKE ETAL 2,811,976 CONTAINER SUPPORT FOR CONTAINER CLEANING MACHINE Filed May 1, 1956 '6 Sheets-Sheet 4 5O JazzrzesCLBZaJfe EWFD 172 BY JokmR asKe.

Nov. 5, 1957 J. c. BLAKE ET AL 2,811,976 CONTAINER SUPPORT FOR CONTAINER CLEANING MACHINE Filed May 1, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 g "mun ATTORNEY Nov. 5, 1957 J. c. BLAKE ET AL 2,811,976

CONTAINER SUPPORT FOR CONTAINER CLEANING MACHINE Filed May 1, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS @1311 R. Haslfe ATTORNEY United States Patent CONTAINER SUPPORT FOR CONTAINER CLEANING MACHINE Application May 1, 1956, Serial No. 582,058

14 Claims. (Cl. 134-445) The present invention relates to container cleaning apparatus and more particularly to improved mechanism for releasably holding a container in the apparatus during a cleaning operation.

One of the containers extensively used by the Armed Forces in the distribution of petroleum products in the field is a generally rectangular shaped S-gallon can frequently known a jerry can. These containers, like the containers used in the commercial distribution of petroleum products, are likely to become contaminated with foreign materials. As a matter of fact jerry cans are much more likely to become contaminated than commerical containers because of the conditions under which they are used. This has led to the development of apparatus and machines of various types for cleaning or reconditioning these containers, including apparatus for cleaning these containers by flushing or spraying the same with cleaning fluid under pressure.

Because most of these prior machines were developed for use commercially at fixed installations, they are not particularly suitable for use by the Armed Forces in the field. Among the disadvantages of these prior machines for Armed Forces use is the fact that they are too large or unwieldy to be readily transported upon the trucks or trailers used by the Armed Forces in the field. Furthermore, it has been found that these machines are too complicated in construction to withstand the rough treatment to which such devices are subjected when used in the field, and they require quantities of cleaning fluid not readily available to the Armed Forces in the field. Moreover, to operate and maintain them requires operators of more training and experience than are possessed by most of the manpower available to the Armed Forces. In addition the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior container cleaning machines from the standpoint of their adaptability for use by the Armed Forces, these prior machines are not very successful in removing foreign materials which frequently are found in jerry cans after use, such as sand, grit and other settleable materials.

These materials are hard to remove completely by flushing or spraying a container in the manner heretofore practiced because of the fact that such materials tend to .settle in the lowermost region of the container which is being cleaned. As a result, flushing of jerry cans and similar containers even while they are supported in inverted position so that the flushing fluid sprayed therein drains gravitationally through the filling opening in the upper end of the container does not necessarily remove all of the sand or grit because the filling opening in this type of can and many other containers is defined by a collar projecting inwardly of the top end or head of the cam.

This collar forms an internal lip around the filling open- I ing preventing a portion of the cleaning fluid in the container from draining out of the same even when the container is tilted or inverted. This residual portion of the fluid naturally collects in the region of the container which 'is'lo'wermost; If sand or was present in the con- Patented Nov. 5, 1957 tainer before flushing, it also tends to settle in the lowermost region of the container with the residual portion of the cleaning fluid. The application of suction to this region of the container therefore is desirable not only to remove the residual cleaning fluid therein, but also to remove any sand or grit trapped therein.

In application for patent Serial No. 278,414 filed March 25, 1952, by James C. Blake, Emmett F. Deady and John R. Haske for a Container Cleaning Apparatus, now Patent Number 2,763,274 dated September 18, 1956, a de-. vice is disclosed embodying mechanism for cleaning both S-gallon jerry cans" and 55-gallon drums which are also used by the Armed Forces in distributing petroleum products. The mechanism included in this device for cleaning jerry cans includes means to provide for the application of fluid under pressure either to flush the can to be cleaned or to generate suction under the complete control of an operator. Moreover, mechanism is provided for shifting the jerry cans between a position at which they drain substantially completely gravitationally when sprayed with cleaning fluid and a position 'at which a lowermost region is established therein defininga fluid collecting pocket. Provision is made for applying the fluid under pressure to flush the can being cleaned as a consequence of the can being shifted to the first-mentioned position and for applying suction to the pocket as a consequence of the can being tilted so that any residual cleaning fluid in the pocket along with sand and grit settled therein will be sucked out of the can. Mechanism is also provided for directing all of the spent fluid back to a source so that no fluid is lost, and it is strained partially to purify the same before its reuse.

The present application is a division of the aforesaid application for patent and is directed particularly to the mechanism for supporting a jerry can during the clean: ing operation so as most effectively to clean the same and insure complete evacuation of the foreignmaterials and cleaning fluids therefrom.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a new and improved mechanism for posiitoning containers to be cleaned on a container cleaning apparatus or ma,- chine and for controlling operation thereof which is particularly adaptable for use in S-gallon jerry can cleaning machines. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved container support for a container cleaning'machine which is shiftable between a position at which gravitational draining from a supported container of the fluids used to clean the same is facilitated and a position at which residual cleaning fluid and foreign material in the supported container collect in a predetermined region of the container. v I

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved container support for a container clean ing machine as defined in the preceding object which includes mechanism for effecting the application of fluid under pressure to a supported container when the latter is moved to the position as which gravitational draining thereof is facilitated, and for effecting the application of suction to the predetermined region of the supported container when the latter is moved to the second mentioned position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved container support as defined in the two preceding objects in which a supported container may be selectively moved between the first and second positions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved mechanism for use in a container cleaning machine including a fluid spraying and evacuating nozzle and means rigidly but releasably to support a container to be cleanedin operative flushing andevacuating relation with the nozzle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a A new and improved container supporting device for a container cleaning machine in which the container is yieldingly biased into operative relation with a flushing and evacuating nozzle so that containers may be readily mounted on the supporting device or removed therefrom.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved device for a container cleaning machine for supporting a container having a filling aperture in one end thereof in operative relation with a spraying nozzle and with the apertured end downturned so that the container drains substantially completely gravitationally.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved supporting device of the type specified in the preceding object which includes means for collecting the spent cleaning fluid and delivering the same to a predetermined collecting region.

A more general'obje'ct of the invention is to provide a new and improved mechanism for positioning and holding containers to be cleaned in a container cleaning machine which is relatively simple in construction and has a minimum number of relatively simple moving and fixed parts when compared to the analogous structure of known container cleaning machines so that it may be built sufliciently sturdy to withstand use by the Armed Forces in the field, and which is relatively inexpensive to construct and maintain and has the further advantage of being simple to opcrate so that little experience is required to maintain and operate the same.

Other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will become apparent from this specification in which reference is had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a container cleaning machine in which the container supporting device of the present invention is particularly adaptable for use, parts of the machine being broken away better to show the construction of the same;

Fig. 2 is a view of the rear or operators side of one of the jerry can cleaning devices forming part of the improved cleaning apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a view of a single jerry can cleaning device, partly in side elevation and partly in section, showing the parts at flushing or spraying position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the container cleaning device at evacuating position;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 6 is an axial sectionalview of a jerry can cleaning device generally on the plane of the line 6-6 on Fig. 3 with the greater portion of the container positioning means or cradle broken away more clearly to disclose the structure of the cleaning device;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view .of the jerry can cleaning device with the container positioning means removed;

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of the fluid discharging and evacuating nozzle used on the improved jerry can cleaning device of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the rockable valve member forming part of the valve mechanism in the jerry can" cleaning device of the present invention controlling the application of fluid under pressure and suction to a container being cleaned;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view showing a stop means for limiting rocking movement of the valve member shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view on the plane of the line 11-11 of Fig. 7 with the rockable valve member at container evacuating position rather than at flushing position as shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 12 is a view of the inner side of the valve plate forming part of the valve mechanism of the improved jerry can cleaning device;

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view on theplane of the line 13-13 on Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of a Venturi tube which 4 forms part of the container evacuating mechanism in the improved jerry can cleaning device of the present in-. vention; and,

Fig. 15 is a diametrical sectional view of the Venturi tube on the plane of the line 15-15 on Fig. 14.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Fig. 1, a container cleaning machine is shown which includes the improved support of the present invention. This container cleaning machine comprises a suitably constructed generally rectangular shape reservoir or tank 20 which has a top wall 22 provided with openings through which access may be had to the interior of the tank. These openings normally are closed by doors 24. Mounted upon the top wall 22 of the tank is a plurality of duplicate jerry can cleaning units indicated in their entirety by the number 26. These units are supplied with a suitable cleaning fluid under pressure such as gasoline or kerosene from a manifold 28 extending longitudinally of the top of the tank 20 and suitably anchored thereto.

A supply of cleaning fluid is contained in the tank 20, and this fluid is delivered to the manifold 28 under pressure by a suitable pump (not shown) the outlet of which is connected to the manifold through a suitable inlet fitting 30 and a gate valve 32. The pump inlet is connected to a valve controlled outlet fitting 34 communicating with the bottom of the tank 20. Since the tank 20 and means for pressurizing the cleaning fluid form no part of the present invention, they will not be described in greater detail.

Each of the cleaning units or devices 26 includes a container positioning means or cradle 36 (Figs. 2 and '3), a fluid discharging and evacuating nozzle 38, a valve mechanism 40 in constant communication with the manifold 28 and a fluid operated suction generating means in the form of an ejector 42 (Fig. 6).

The valve mechanism 40 previously mentioned comprises a valve casing 44 (Figs. 2, 6 and 11) having a cylindrical valve chamber 46 formed therein and a base 48 with a flat bottom side and including laterally projecting flanges 50 (Figs. 7 and 11) for receiving bolts 52 fixedly to secure the casing 44 to the top wall 22 of the tank 20.

A generally elbow-shaped valve member 54 (Figs. 5 and 6) has a cylindrical plug-like main body part 56 to fit fluid tight rockably in the valve chamber 46 and a neck or stub 58 external to the valve chamber and also of cylindrical cross section extending generally normally to the first-mentioned part 56. The stub 58 has an upper end disposed in a diametrical plane. A double elbow shaped through passage or throat 60 in the rockable valve member 54 of generally semi-circular cross section (Fig. 9) opens at one end to the exterior in the upper end of stub 58 and communicates at its other end with a discharge outlet opening 62 (Fig. 6) in the base 48 of valve casing 44 at all positions of angular'adjustment of the rockable valve member54 within a predetermined range.

In addition to the throat passage 60, the valve member 54 is also provided with two elbow shaped passages 6.4 and 66 (Figs. 5 and 9) of relatively small diameter terminating atone end in separate ports in the flat upper end of stub 58. Passage 64 terminates at its other end in a port 68 (Fig. 5) in the flat vertically extending inner end of the cylindrical main body part 56 of valve member 54, and passage 66 communicates at its other end with the suction inlet to the fluid operable suction generating ejector 42 (Figs. v6and 11) previously mentioned.

This ejector comprises a yenturi tube 70 housed in the larger portion of a variable diameter diametrically extending bore 72 (Fig. 11') in the inner end portion of the main body part 56.0f the rockable valve member 54 beyond the inner end of the double elbow passage 60 therein. Venturi 70 has a longitudinal passage with an inlet 74,-an outlet'7 6 and an intermediate constricted portion 78 to form a suction throat between the inlet and outlet.- The venturitube 7 0 is held in position in bore 72 by a jam nut 80 (Fig. 6) so that a diametrical slot 82 (Figs. 14 and 15) adjacent the upper end thereof forming an inlet to the suction throat 78 is maintained in constant communication with the inner end of elbow passage 66 (Fig. 11).

Above the upper end of the venturi tube 70 an inlet chamber 84 is defined in bore 72 which has an inlet port 86 (Fig. 6) in the circular inner end of the main body part 56 of valve member 54. The center of this port is located at the same radial distance from the axis of movable valve member 54 as the port 68 for elbow passage 64 for a purpose which will be described subsequently.

Inlet chamber 84 is in constant communication with the inlet to venturi tube 70 through a reducing bushing 88 (Fig. 11) seated in a recess in the upper end of the venturi tube, and a port 90 is provided in the base 48 of valve casing 44 to discharge the venturi tube when and only when the movable valve member 54 is at or approximately at the tilted position shown in Fig. 11. At such times the reducing bushing 88 forms a constricted inlet to the venturi tube to increase the velocity of the fluid flowing through the suction throat 78 and thus reduce the pressure at the same so that the suction effect is increased. However, when the movable valve member 54 is turned to close communication between the outlet 76 for the venturi tube 70 and the discharge port 90, the effect of the reducing bushing is nil. Under these circumstances fluid under pressure admitted to the inlet 74 of the venturi tube 70 is free to flow out of the diametrical inlet slot 82 and elbow passage 66 since this slot is in constant communication with the suction throat of the venturi tube and with the inlet to elbow passage 66.

Access is also had to inlet chamber 84 through a threaded bore 92 (Fig. 11) normally closed by a threaded plug 94 so that the port through bushing 88 and the venturi tube 70 may be cleaned by means of a stiff wire without disassembling the valve mechanism 40. 'Access is had to the plug 94 and bore 72 through an aperture in the valve casing 44 axially aligned with the bore 72 when the rockable valve member 54 is in evacuating position and closed by a threaded plug 96.

r The outer end of the valve chamber 46 is closed by a circular valve plate 98 (Figs. 6, l2 and 13) fixed to the end of valve casing 44 by means of cap screws 100 (Fig. 6) passing through apertures in the valve plate and threaded into registering apertures in an annular radially outwardly projecting flange on the valve casing 44. This plate forms a bearing for an axially extending trunnion 102 rotatably to support one end of rockable valve member 54. Its other end is supportedby a trunnion 104 journaled in a bearing 106 fixed to the base 48 of valve casing 44. Both the inner side of the valve plate 98 and the inner cylindrical end of the movable valve member 54 are machined so that a close fit may be had between these surfaces. They are yieldingly urged into substantially fluid tight abutting engagement by an expansion spring 108 surrounding the exposed end of trunnion 102 and reacting between a thrust bearing 110 on this trunnion seated against the outer side of valve plate 98 and a nut 112 adjustably threaded on the outer end of trunnion 102 and locked in position by a lock nut 114.

passage and one or both of these ports depending on the position of angular adjustment of the rockable valve member 54. A port 118 preferably adjacent one end of the arcuate passage 116 communicates with a bore 120 formed in a boss 122 on the outer side of the valve plate 98 into which may be threaded a suitable fitting, such as an elbow 124, for making connection to a fluid conveying line which will be described subsequently.

Rotary rocking movement of the valve member 54 to control communication between the arcuate passage 116 and the ports 68 and 86 on the one hand and between venturi tube outlet 76'and discharge'port 90 on the other is limited by a pair of cushioned stops 126 (Fig. 10) arranged to engage the opposite sides of a radially depend ing fin 128 on the neckof rockable valve member 54 upon predetermined opposite rotary movement thereof. Since the stops 126 are of duplicate construction, only the left one as viewed in Fig. 10 will be described in detail. This stop comprises a bolt 130 extending freely through an aperture in an upstanding lug or boss 132 on the left hand side of the base 48 of valve casing 44. This bolt is urged inwardly relative to the lateral edge of the base 48 by an expansion spring 134. However, such movement is limited by a nut 136 threaded on the outer end of bolt 130 and locked in position by a lock nut 138. Thus the bolt is free to yield slightly when its head is engaged an amount determined by the resistance of the In addition to the aperture for passing trunnion 102, e

the valve plate 98 has an arcuate passage 116 (Fig. 12) on its inner side substantially 95 degrees in end to end length extending from the upper portion of the first quadrant through the second quadrant when the inner side of the valve plate is viewed as in Fig. 12 and into the third quadrant on an arcuate centerline centered on the axis of the trunnion bearing in this plate and thus centered on the axis of the valve member 54 when the parts are assembled. This arcuate slot or passageway has a radius corresponding to the radial distance between the axis of valve member 54 and the center of the ports 68 and 86 in the inner end of the rockable valve member 54. Communication rnay thus be established between this arcuate spring 134 which may be varied by adjusting nuts 136 and 138 so that a cushioned stop is provided to limit rocking movement of valve member 54. Since there is a stop on each side of fin 128, rotary movement of the valve member 54 in either direction is limited.

A fluid tight seal between the several relatively moving or separable parts is insured by use of suitable packing therebetween. For example, a sealing ring 140 (Fig. 6) is provided between the cylindrical main body part 56 of valve member 54 and the valve chamber 46, and a gasket 142 is interposed between the valve plate 98 and the end of valve casing 44 to which it is secured. Preferably a sealing ring 144 is provided between the trunnion 102 and valve plate 98 while a pair of sealing rings 146 and 148 (Fig. 11) is provided between the venturi tube 70 and bore 72 to prevent leakage from the inlet to the elbow passage 66 and from the diametrical inlet slot 82. The lower ring 146 is nested in a circumferential groove in the venturi tube 70, while the upper ring is held in position against a shoulder at the upper end of the venturi tube by a washer 150 yieldingly biased against the upper end of the venturi tube by a compression spring 152 in the upper end of bore 72. Washer 150 also locks the reducing bushing 88 in the recess in the upper end of the venturi tube.

The nozzle 38 previously mentioned has a base 154 (Figs. 6 and 8) fixedly secured to the flat upper surface of the stub 58 on rockable valve member 54 along the edge of the inlet to the through passage 60 therein by means of cap screws 156 (Fig. 7). At its free ends the nozzle 38 terminates in a hook-shaped nose 158 which is tapered to a tip 160 of reduced width. Preferably the nozzle 38 is made from a relatively soft material such as brass to avoid damage to the threads in the inlet opening of containers when the latter are being placed in or removed from cleaning position.

A longitudinally extending passageway 162 (Fig. 6) in the nozzle 38 communicates at the base of the nozzle with the elbow passageway 64 in the rockable valve 54 and is inclined adjacent its upper end as indicated at 164 in Fig. 8 so that it extends through and opens to the exterior at the uppermost portion of the nose 158. The elbow passageway 66 in rockable valve member 54 communicates with the lower end of a second longitudinal passageway 166 in the nozzle which extends into the tip 1600f the nose 158 and there has'branches 168 opening to the exterior at the lateral edges of the extreme tip 160 of the Also secured to the flat upper side' of the exposed stub 58 of the valve member 54 is the container positioning cradle 36 previously mentioned. This container positioner includes a sump 170 (Fig. 3) having opposite side walls 172 (Fig. 2), front and rear walls 174 and 176 respectively convergingly inclined toward the nozzle 38 and a bottom wall 178. The upper edges of the front, rear, and side walls may be spun inwardly as shown at 180 in Fig. 2, and the walls are dimensioned and conformed to define a mouth for receiving the upper end of the container to be cleaned and particularly the area surrounding the filling opening therein. The position of a jerry can with respect to the mouth of the cradle 36 is shown by way of example in Fig. 3.

Hinged at one of its ends to a flange 182 fixed on the inner side of front wall 174 of the sump 170 is a floating member 184 which forms a false bottom. This false bottom has an upwardly turned rear wall 186 terminating in a rebent portion 188 and a depending end 190. It also has a relatively large aperture 192 (Figs. 1 and 3), through which nozzle 38 extends, and it is urged outwardly or upwardly of the bottom 178 of the sump by resilient means such as an expansion spring 194 surrounding the lower end of thenozzle 38. Outward movement of the false bottom 184 under the influence of spring 194 is limited by engagement of the rebent portion 188 against a stop formed by the inwardly spun portions 180 on the side walls 172 while the inwardly spun upper edge of the rear wall 176 forms a stop to limit downward movement of the free end of the false bottom 184.

V The cradle thus formed is removably fixed to the stub or neck 58 of valve member 54 by a clamping collar 196 having a flange 198 fixed to the central part of the underside of bottom wall 178 by means of rivets or the like and a second flange 200 embracing the stub 58. This latter flange is split at 202 (Fig. 6) so that it may be firmly clamped to the stub by tightening cap screws 204. A sealing ring 206 (Fig. 6) preferably is provided between the stub 58 and the collar 196 to form a fluid tight union between these parts, and a gasket 208 is interposed between the bottom Wall 178 and the flange 198 and upper end of stub 58.

Due to the taper of the front and rear walls 174 and 176 respectively in the sump 170 and the rounded lower ends of the side walls 172, liquid draining into the sump is directed towards an aperture 210 in the bottom wall 178 registering with the inlet to the drain passage 60 in rockable valve member 54 which thus receives any liquid draining into the sump 170 and directs the same to the outlet 62 in the base of valve casing 44.

In the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, five can cleaning units 26 of the type above described are shown mounted in equally spaced relation on the top wall 22 of the tank 20. This top wall may be suitably reinforced properly to support these cleaning units, and it is provided with a series of apertures through which the ejectors 42 and the drain passage 60 in the cleaning units 26 may discharge cleaning fluid back into the tank 20. Referring to Fig. 11 which merely shows one of the ejectors, a discharge outlet for this ejector through the top wall 22 is shown at 212. It will be apparent that this outlet is effective to discharge the ejector 42 only when the movable valve member 54 is at substantially the position shown in Fig. 11. The drain passages 60 in the movable valve members 54 discharge into the tank through apertures in top wall 22 one of which is shown at 214 in Fig. 6.

From the above description it will be noted that drain back to the tank is provided from the sump 170 in each jerry can cleaning device 26 on the tank. This drain extends through the double elbow drain passage 60 (Fig. 6) in the rockable valve member 54 upon which the respective sump is mounted and into the tank 20 through the registering discharge outlet openings 62 and 214 in the valve casing 44 and the top wall respectively '8 which register with the respective double elbow drain passage 60. It will also be apparent that the suction generating ejectors 42 in the jerry can cleaning devices likewise discharge into this tank through discharge ports (Fig. 11) in the respective valve casings 44 on the tank and thence through apertures 212 in its top wall.

Preferably the tank 20 is provided with strainers into which the discharge from the outlets 212 and 214 flows in order partially to purify the cleaning fluid returned to the tank. Since these strainers may be of conventional construction they have not been shown and will not be described in detail.

The valve mechanisms 40 on the tank 20 are connected to the fluid under pressure in the manifold 28 by feed pipes 216 (Figs. 1 and 6) as previously explained. At one end, these pipes are coupled to elbows 124 on the valve mechanisms 40, and their opposite ends are connected to spaced elbow fittings 218 communicating with the interior of the manifold 28. Thus, whenever fluid under pressure is admitted to the manifold 28, it will be admitted to the arcuate passages 116 in the respective valve plates (Fig. 6) in each of the jerry can cleaning units 26 on the reservoir. This conditions the jerry can cleaning devices 26 for operation in the manner now to be described.

To clean S-gallon jerry cans, the container positioning cradles 36 on the tank 20 are first shifted toward suction position. This constitutes the off position of these devices. From a consideration of Figs. 6 and 12, it will be apparent that the arcuate passage 116 in valve plate 98 on the valve mechanisms 40 in each of the units 26 extends toward the operator who preferably will be stationed along the portion of the tank 20 which is topmost in Fig. 1. These arcuate passages extend from the first quadrant through the second quadrant as previously explained, while the inlet ports 68 and 86 (Fig. 9) in the inner end of the main body part 56 of rockable valve member 54 leading to elbow passage 64 and venturi inlet chamber 84 respectively, are centered radially outwardly of the axis of valve member 56, a distance corresponding to the radius of the centerline of arcuate passage 116.

Furthermore the inlet ports 68 and 86 are spaced approximately 90 from each other so that both will communicate with arcuate passage 116 when valve member 54 is moved away from the operator to the limit permitted by stops 126 (Fig. 3), whereas communication between the inlet port 68 and arcuate passage 116 is cut olf when the rockable valve member 54 is rocked toward the operator to the limit of the movement permitted by stops 126, but inlet port 86 remains in communication with arcuate passage 116. In addition, it is to be noted that at this limit of movement of valve member 54, the outlet 76 for the venturi tube 70 communicates with its discharge outlet port 90 (Fig. 11).

At this position of the valve member 54, communication between the arcuate passage 116 and the space in the top of the tank 20 is thus established through inlet port 86 (Fig. 6) inlet chamber 84 (Fig. 11) bushing 88, venturi inlet 74, suction throat 78, outlet 76 and discharge outlets 90 and 212 back to the tank 20. When the valve member 54 is in this position, fluid under pressure admitted to the manifold 28 will follow this circuit back to the tank 20. The venturi tubes 70 will thus be rendered operative to generate suction which will be applied to the opposite sides of the tips of nozzle 38 through diametrical inlet slot 82, elbow passage 66 (Fig. 7), nozzle passage 166 (Fig. 6) and branch passages 168. The off position of the device herein disclosed therefore, as a matter of fact, is its suction position. However, the suction performs no function at this period in a cleaning operation. Once the cradles 36 have all been rocked to the off position above described, gate valves 32 may be opened to subject manifold 28 to the pressure generated by the pump.

Jerry cans normally have a filling opening 220 in-a slightly inclined portion of their top wall adjacent one end thereof as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. These filling openings may be formed in various ways but for jerry cans used in the transportation of petroleum products, a screw type closure is used, and therefore, a threaded collar normally is provided to define this filling opening. The inner end of this collar normally forms an inwardly projecting ridge 222 on the innerside of the container defining a barrier that traps a residual portion of fluid in a container even when the latter is inverted, thus preventing complete gravitational draining of the container.

To station a jerry can in cleaning position, it is presented to a positioning cradle 36 (Fig. 4) in substantially inverted position with its filling opening 226 toward the operator so that the nozzle 38 will extend into the filling opening when the container is lowered onto the spring biased false bottom 184. The container and false bottom 184 on which it rests are then depressed suificiently to bring the tip 160 of the nose on the nozzle beyond the inner edge 222 of the filling opening 228, whereupon the container is rocked or shifted toward the front wall 174 of the cradle. Thereafter, upon slow release of the downward force on the container, it will be lifted by the action of expansion spring 194 on the false bottom 184 until the nose 158 on the nozzle 38 hooks behind the ridge 222 and its tip 160 extends into pocket 224. The continued upward force on the container after it hooks upon the nozzle 38 tends to shift the container upon the nose 158 until the portion of the body of the container opposite the front wall 174 of cradle 36 is brought into firm steadying engagement with this wall. Thus the container is positioned against the nozzle 38 and a fixed means comprising the front wall 174 of the cradle 36 at which position it is rigidly but releasably held by the upper rebent edge 188 of the .yieldable false bottom 184 when rockable valve member 54 is rocked. The positioning cradle 86 and movable valve member 54 thus cooperate to support a container for movement between the suction or evacuating position just described and a flushing position to be described. The biasing spring 1% should be sufliciently resistant so that the cradle 36 and valve member 54 may be rocked between the suction or off position of the latter shown in Fig. 4 and the flushing position shown in full lines in Fig. 3 by pushing or pulling on a supported container.

Since the jerry can cleaning devices 26 are duplicates in construction and operation, it is believed that a de scription of the operation of one of these devices will be suflicient, reference being had to Figs. 2 to 15 for this purpose. After the cradle 36 in the device in question is loaded as above described, it is rocked away from the operator to move the container supported thereon to the substantially upright position shown in Fig. 3. This rocks the rockable valve member 54 to a position at which the inlet ports 68 and 86 in the circular inner end thereof are brought into communication with the arcuate passage 116 in the valve plate 98, but the outlet 76 for venturi tube 70 will be cut off from the communication with its discharge outlet port 90 as .shown in Fig. 6. This also will be apparent from Fig. 11, if it be assumed that the valve member 54 is atthat position at which the neck 58 and Venturi tube 70 are substantially upright, instead of at the tilted position in which they are shown in this view.

In view of the fact that the arcuate passage 116 in the jerry can cleaning device in question is in constant communication with the fluid under pressure in manifold 28 through feed pipe 216, fluid under pressure will be admitted from the arcuate passage to both elbow passages 64. and 66 when the valve member 54 is in the aforesaid position. Passage 64 receives fluid directly from arcuate passage 116, but passage 66 receives it by a reverse flow of the fluid through at least a portion of the ejector 42 due to the fact that the discharge for the venturi tube 70 is then cut off while the inlet port 86 remains in communication with arcuate passage 116. Fluid under pressure from this latter passage then will flow through inlet port 86 into inlet chamber 84 and through bushing 88, the inlet 74 to the venturi tube 70 and the diametrical inlet slot 82 for the suction throat of the venturi tube to elbow passage 66. Thus fluid under pressure will be sprayed against the interior of the container through both pas-' been present in the container, such as sand and grit.

Since the tip 168 of the nozzle 38 extends into the pocket 224, this residual fluid and foreign material is withdrawn by applying suction to the tip of nozzle 38.

Application of suction to the nozzle tip is initiated by rocking the cradle 36 toward the operator to the pre-. viously described off or suction position shown in Fig. 4. At this position the pocket 224 is lowermost so that residual cleaning fluid and foreign material collects there. The suction generated when the parts are in this position in the manner previously described is applied to the pocket 224 through branch passages 168 as already explained. Residual cleaning fluid and foreign material therefore are sucked out of the pocket 224.

Preferably the discharge port for venturi tube 70 and the inlet port 68 for elbow pressure passage 64 are so arranged that the inlet port 68 is completely out off from communication with the arcuate passage 116 before the outlet 76 for the venturi tube and its discharge port start to communicate, but this is not essential. All that is required is that it be possible completely to cut oif the,

- ranged that at a certain position of the valve member 54 both the pressure passage 64 and venturi inlet chamber 84 are cut oif from communication with the arcuate passage 116.

To obtain the most effective cleaning action the pump must have sufficient capacity to develop a pressure of thirty pounds per square inch when all of the cleaning units 26 are discharging, and the tank capacity should be such that at least a minimum of gallons of cleaning fluid may be used in the machine. In practice, it has been found that containers normally will be cleaned when subjected through approximately forty seconds of flushing and approximately six seconds of suction. In the event a container is not cleaned in one operation, it may be subjected to a second or third cleaning operation.

From the above description of the construction and operation of the improved cleaning apparatu of the present invention, its many advantages will be apparent. It will be noted that both the commencement of spraying and the commencement of evacuation of a container and the duration of these operations are under the complete control of the operator of the machine and that a minimum of manual operations need be performed in stationing jerry cans for cleaning or in removing them.

70 Furthermore, once a spraying or an evacuating operation is commenced on a container, it may be continued for any interval desired by the operator because the machine is under his complete control. Because of the relatively few manual operations required, the device may be operated by a single operator.

.While the machine disclosed herein i designedpar ticularly for cleaning generally rectangular shaped gallon jerry cans of the type used by the Armed Forces in the field, it is to be understood that'the supporting cradles 36 may readily be shaped to receive containers of shapes differing from the shape of jerry cans. The same is true of a nozzle suitable for reception in these other types of containers and such other parts as might require modification. For these reasons, the specific machine described herein is to be considered exemplary and while it is a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent that numerous variations and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. It i desired, therefore, by the following claims to include within the scope of the invention, all such variations and modifications by which substantially the results of the invention may be obtained through the use of substantially the same or equivalent means.

We claim:

1. In a container flushing apparatus the combination comprising control valve means, a nozzle mounted on said valve means and having a longitudinal passageway extending to the tip thereof, said valve means having a plurality of passages and ports through which communication may be established to subject the passageway in said nozzle to fluid under pressure -or suction under the selective control of said valve means, and cooperating container positioning means including fixed means and yieldable means to urge a container against said fixed means and nozzle rigidly but releasably to hold the said container oriented to maintain communication between the region therein at which fluid is likely to be trapped and the nozzle tip.

2 In an apparatus for flushing the interior of containers having a filling aperture in one end thereof, the combination comprising control valve means, said valve means having a drain passage formed therein, a nozzle mounted on said valve means and having a longitudinal passageway extending to the tip thereof, said valve means having a plurality of passages and ports through which communication may be established selectively to subject the passageway in said nozzle to fluid under pressure or suction, and means to position a container for flushing including fixed means and yieldable means to urge a container against said fixed means and nozzle rigidly but releasably to hold the said container apertured end downturned and oriented to maintain communication between the region therein at which fluid is likely to be trapped and the nozzle tip and also including means for directing the drain from the said container into said drain passage.

3. In an apparatus for flushing the interior of containers having a filling aperture in one end thereof, the combination comprising control valve means, said valve means having a drain passage formed therein, a hook-nosed nozzle mounted on said valve means and having a longitudinal passageway therethrough branching outwardly to the lateral edges of the extreme tip of said nose, said valve means having a plurality of passages and ports formed therein through which communication may be established selectively to subject the passageway in said nozzle to fluid under pressure or suction, and means to position a container apertured end downturned including fixed means and yieldable means to urge the said container in a direction to hook the periphery of the aperture therein against the hooked nose of the nozzle and the body of the container against said fixed means rigidly but releasably to position said container oriented to maintain communication between the region therein at which fluid is likely to be trapped and the tip of the nozzle and, also including means for directing the drain from the said container into said drain passage.

4, In an apparatus for flushing the interior of containers having a filling aperture in one end thereof, the combinationcomprising control valve means, said valve means having a drain passage formed therein, a hooknosed nozzle mounted on said valve means and having a first longitudinal passageway therein branching outwardly to the lateral edges of the tip of said nose and a second longitudinal passageway having an outlet port adjacent the topside of said nose, said valve means having a plurality of passages and ports formed therein through which communication may be established selectively to subject the first passageway in said nozzle to fluid under pressure or suction alternately and the second passageway to fluid under pressure, and means to position a container apertured end downturned including fixed means and yieldable means to urge the said container in a direction to hook the periphery of the aperture therein against the hooked nose of the nozzle and the body of the container against said fixed means rigidly but releasably to position said container oriented to maintain communication between the region therein at which fluid is likely to be trapped and the tip of the nozzle and also including means for directing drain from the said container into said drain passage.

5. In an apparatus for flushing the interior of containers having a filling opening in the top end thereof the combination comprising control valve means, said valve means having a drain passage formed therein, a flushing and evacuating nozzle fixed on and projecting outwardly of said valve means and having a longitudinal passageway extending to the tip theerof, said valve means having a plurality of passages and ports formed therein through which communication may be opened to subject the passageway in said nozzle to fluid under pressure or suction selectively under the control of said valve means, and means to position an inverted container in operative relation with the nozzle to facilitate gravitational draining thereof including a rigid sump fixed on said valve means to direct the drain from a supported container into the inlet to said drain passage and a yieldable member to urge the said container against a portion of the sump and the projecting part of said nozzle releasably to hold the container positioned to maintain communication between the region thereof at which fluid is likely to be trapped and the nozzle tip.

6. In an apparatus for flushing the interior of containers having a filling aperture in one end thereof the combination comprising valve means including a movable member having a projecting stub, a nozzle fixed on said stub, said movable member having a drain passage therein with an inlet in said stub and an outlet in the other part thereof and passages and ports to open communication through which the passageway in said nozzle may be subjected to fluid under pressure or suction selectively in response to predetermined movement of the movable member, and means to position a container to be flushed apertured end downturned so as to facilitate gravitational draining thereof including a sump fixed on said stub to direct the drain from the said container into the inlet to said drain passage and yieldably means to urge the said container to a predetermined position relative to the nozzle and sump at which communication is established between said nozzle and the region in said container at which fluid is likely to be trapped.

7 In an apparatus for flushing the interior of containers having a filling aperture in one end thereof the combination comprising valve means including a movable member having a projecting stub, a nozzle fixed on said stub, said movable member having a drain passage formed therein and a plurality of passages and ports cooperating to open communication through which the nozzle may be subjected to fluid under pressure or suction selectively in response to predetermined movement of the movable member, and means for supporting a container to be flushed apertured end downturned including a sump fixed on said stub to receive the drain from the said container and to direct the same into said drain passage and means yieldingly to urge the container to a position relative to the container at which fluid is likely to be trapped when the movable valve member and supporting means fixed thereto are moved to the position at which communication is openedthrough the ports and passages to subject the nozzle to suction. i v

8. In an apparatus for flushing the interior of generally rectangular shaped containers of relatively narrow width having a filling aperture in one end adjacent one of the narrow sides thereof, the combination comprising valve means including a movable member having a stub, a nozzle fixed on said stub, said valve means having a drain passage formed therein and a plurality of passages and ports cooperating to open communication through which the nozzle may be subjected to fluid under pressure or suction selectively in response to predetermined movement of said movable member, and means to position a container in operative relation with the nozzle and apertured end downturned to facilitate gravitational draining thereof including a generally rectangular shaped sump having an open side, said sump being dimensioned to receive at least the portion of a container surrounding the filling aperture through the said open side and being conformed to direct the drain from the said container into the inlet to said drain passage, and yieldable means releasably to hold the container fixed against a portion of the sump and a part ofthe nozzle at a position to maintain communication between said nozzle and the region in said container at which fluid is likely to be trapped.

9. In an apparatus for flushing the interior of containers having a filling opening in the top end thereof the combination comprising control valve means including a movable member having a projecting stub, said movable member having a drain passage formed therein with an inlet in said stub and an outlet in the other part thereof, a flushing and evacuating nozzle fixed on and projecting outwardly of said stub, means including a plurality of passages and ports controlled by said valve means selectively to open communication through which the nozzle may be subjected to fluid under pressure or suction upon predetermined movement of the movable member, and means to support a container in inverted position on said stub including a rigid sump fixed on said stub to direct the drain from the supported container into the inlet to said drain passage and a yieldable member to bias a supported container against a portion of the sump and the projecting part of the nozzle releasably to hold the container in operative flushing relation with the nozzle, said yieldable member exerting a force on the supported container exceeding that required to shift said movable member through its predetermined range of movement so that the latter may be moved by applying force in the desired direction to the supported container.

10. In an apparatus for flushing the interior of containers having a filling opening in the top end thereof, the combination comprising a valve controlled flushing and evacuating nozzle having a curved tip adapted to be received in the filling opening of a container and to hook against the innerside of the periphery of the opening, and means rigidly but releasably to position an inverted container in operative relation with the nozzle including a rigid fluid collecting sump fixed relative to said nozzle and having an end wall with a discharge outlet opening therein and a member yieldingly to urge a container presented thereto in inverted position in a direction to wedge the inner side of the periphery of the opening in the container and a portion of the body of the container respectively against the tip of the curved nozzle and a portion of the sump so as rigidly but releasably to hold the container in operative relation with the nozzle.

11. In an apparatus for flushing the interior of containers having a filling opening in the top end thereof the combination comprising, a valve controlled flushing and evacuating nozzle having a curved tip adapted to be received in the filling opening of a container, and means to position an inverted container in operative relation with the nozzle including a fluid collecting sump fixed relative to said nozzle and having an end wall with a discharge outlet opening therein, a false bottom movably connected to said sump and apertured to pass the drain from a supported container into the sump, and resilient means yieldingly to urge the false bottom outwardly with sufficient force rigidly but releasably hook the periphery of the opening in the said container against the curved nozzle :and to bring a portion of the said container against a portion of the sump for steadying the container.

12. In an apparatus for flushing the interior of containers having a filling opening in the top end thereof the combination comprising, a cradle including a sump having an open side and an end wall opposite the open side with a discharge outlet opening therein, said sump being conformed to direct the drain received thereby toward the discharge outlet, a false bottom spaced outwardly of the end wall and apertured to pass the drain to said sump, a valve controlled nozzle having a body fived relative to said cradle and passing through the aperture in the false bottom and a tip spaced outwardly of the false bottom and facing the same, said false bottom beingswingable along one edge toward and from the tip of said nozzle, and resilient means yieldingly to urge the false bottom to swing toward the tip of the nozzle with suificient force rigidly but releasably to engage the periphery of the opening in the container to be supported against the nozzle and to bring a portion of the said container against a portion of the sump for steadying the container.

13. In an apparatus for flushing the interior of containers having a filling opening in the top end thereof, the combination comprising a cradle to support a container in inverted position including a sump having an open side and an end wall opposite the open side with a discharge outlet opening formed therein, said sump being conformed to direct the drain from a supported container toward said discharge outlet, a false bottom hinged along one edge to an intermediate part of one side wall of the sump, said false bottom having an aperture to pass the drain from a supported container substantially aligned with the aperture in the end wall, a valve controlled nozzle adapted to be fixed relative to said cradle and having a body projecting through the aperture in said false bottom and a tip in the sump spaced outwardly of the false bottom and facing the same, resilient means compressed between the end wall and false bottom, and means forming a stop to limit movement of the false bottom under the influence of said resilient means, said stop means being spaced outwardly of the end wall far enough to allow the biasing force of the false bottom to be brought into play against a container on said cradle to urge the said container in a direction rigidly but releasably to wedge the same against the nozzle and a portion of the sump positioned to establish communication between said nozzle and the region in said container at which fluid is likely to be trapped.

14. In an apparatus for flushing the interior of containers having a filling aperture in one end thereof in response to the application of fluid under pressure or suction to the said apparatus the combination comprising a fluid discharging and evacuating nozzle, valve means including relatively movable members having passages and ports to control the application of fluid under pressure or suction to the nozzle selectively in response to predetermined movement of said relatively movable members and a drain passage open to the passage of fluid therethrough at all positions of relative movement of said relatively movable members, and means to position a container to be flushed apertured end downturned so as to facilitate gravitational draining thereof including a sump to direct 15 the drain froma supported container into said drain passage and yieldable means to urge the said supported container to a predetermined position relative to said nozzle and sump at which communication is'established between said nozzle and the region in said container at 5 which fluid is likely to be trapped.

' References Cited in the file of patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Beach Oct. 11, 1910 Dougherty Ian. 24, 1928 Kimball Apr. 29, 1941 Alexander June 3, 1941 Neef Nov. 23, 1948 

